U of R cheer team off to world championships
Members of the University of Regina’s cheerleading team have an extra reason to cheer.
The U of R ensemble is the lone Canadian invitee to the International Cheer Union’s world university championships, to be held Jan. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla.
“It’s a pretty big accomplishment — a bigger step forward,’’ Alora Biram, a second-year member of the team, said Saturday after the announcement was made at the university’s Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport.
Biram competed for the 27-member U of R team that on Dec. 1 won the small coed division at the Canadian championships in Brampton, Ont. The U of R previously won national titles in 2008 and 2010.
“The sport has come a long way from before,’’ Biram said. “It’s a big deal to be able to have three national titles.’’
Now the focus is about to become international in dimension.
“It’s a good way to represent Canada,’’ said Harjot Mavi, a rookie with the team.
“And a good way to get cheerleading more known in Saskatchewan and in Canada,’’ teammate Jenna Lys added.
The U of R squad consists of 27 members. Only 16 cheerleaders are allowed on the floor at the world championships, but every member of the Regina contingent will make the trip to Florida.
“To be invited to this prestigious event is a great accomplishment and a reflection of the talent and hard work of our athletes and coaches,’’ U of R president and vice-chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons said in a prepared statement.
“The team will be wonderful representatives of the university, the province and the country, and I know they will continue to make us all proud.’’
The world championships have been held annually since 2005. The event typically features approximately 4,000 cheerleaders.
Cheerleading is attracting more participants, most of whom have honed their skills at the high school level.
Biram, for example, was a cheerleader at Balfour Collegiate for three years. Mavi and Lys were cheerleaders throughout their time at Winston Knoll Collegiate.
“I don’t think there are very many people who hadn’t cheered before (joining the university team),’’ said Lys, who noted that she and Mavi were also cheerleading teammates at Henry Janzen School in grades 6, 7 and 8.
U of R head coach Thomas Rath has pointed to the feeder system as a key contributor to the success of the university program, and to the development of cheerleading as a whole.
“The sport of cheerleading is exploding,’’ Rath said in a media release. “For the University of Regina Cougars to be representing Canada at this event (in Orlando) is a huge honour, and I’m extremely proud of the team. We are looking forward to showing the world what we can do.’’